Citing data from the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal, Sarma stated that in 2022, there were 6,20,867 registered pregnant women...
Digital Desk: Nearly, 17 percent of the over 6.2 lakh pregnant women in Assam last year were teenagers, said chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, justifying the crackdown on child marriages. Citing data from the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal, Sarma stated that in 2022, there were 6,20,867 registered pregnant women.
According to data from the RCH portal shared by the chief minister, 1,04,264 women were 19 years or less, comprising 16.79 percent of the expecting mothers.
"Our drive against child marriage is for public health & public welfare as the teenage pregnancy ratio in Assam is quite alarming. We're resolved to continue this drive until we fulfill our objective," he tweeted.
The crackdown on child marriage in Assam reached its fourth day on Monday, amid protests in Barak Valley, Morigaon, and Dhubri, with the number of arrests rising to 2,441 against 4,074 FIRs lodged across the state.
The chief minister further urged the people of the state to help the administration in controlling "this destructive tendency". According to RCH portal data, the undivided Dhubri district, including South Salmara, has the highest number of 14,438 teenage pregnant women, followed by Nagaon with 12,188 pregnant teenagers, and Barpeta with 11,658 teenage pregnant women.
Goalpara (6,250), Kamrup (4,773), Darrang (4,584), Morigaon (4,254), and Cachar (4,049) are among the other districts with high teenage pregnancy rates in 2022. According to the chief minister, the hill district Dima Hasaon had the lowest teenage pregnancy rate in 2022, with 431 women.
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